Secret Santa is not religious: Cubbon Reads refutes claims

Using the word 'Santa' in a meet-up does not make it religious, organisers of 'Cubbon Reads' defend, as their 'Secret Santa Saturday', organised on December 21 at Cubbon Park ended with books being confiscated by park authorities.

One of the reasons provided by the authorities for confiscating books is that 'no religious activities are allowed inside the park'.

Since March 2023, every Saturday, between 9am and 2pm, people drop in with a mat and book, joining others, and read. The community, founded by Harsh Shehanshu and Shruti Sah, call themselves Cubbon Reads.

It has spawned not only many reading groups in other parks of Bengaluru, such as Lalbagh Reads, but also communities such as Cubbon Paints and Cubbon Runs.

The book reading movement spread to other cities, as well - Juhu Reads in Mumbai and Lodhi Reads in Delhi. According to the information provided at its social media platforms, the movement has gone global and has now reached 70-plus cities.